Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/120635
fieldreport: OWNING SUCCESS Say what you do. Do what you say. Chris Gilpatrick Jr. anon, Maine Company name: Gilpatrick Property Service Equipment: 2 mowers, a compact track loader, a wheel loader and 5 diesel trucks Leb What was one of your most difficult assignments? The recent Nemo blizzard was unbelievable. We knew it was coming so we staged our equipment and prepared for the worst. The winds were howling at 50 mph and we had to contend with ice and 7-foot drifts. What could have been a disaster turned out to be a boon for business. We picked up a few more customers who were impressed to see us out there. How does Mobil DelvacTM help you succeed in your business? Mobil DelvacTM is reliable heavy duty diesel engine oil and helps keep my trucks on the job site where they belong. That's how I make money and keep my customers happy. How do you keep your customers happy? The number one thing is to do what you promise. If you say you're going to do a job and you're going to do it for a certain price, you have to do it. Sometimes you may lose money, but it's all about keeping costumers happy so you get referred to other people. That's how I built my business. Sean Franklin, senior estimator at AAA Landscape, actually learned about his current employer at PLANET's career fair at Mississippi State University in 2001. At the time, he was studying to be in the industry, and he wanted to see what companies and jobs were available around the country. Now, he is the one talking with student prospects about the business. "The younger generation has such great enthusiasm, and that fires the rest of us up," Franklin says, "We want to be a part of the younger generation finding industry jobs, especially in this economy." Equipment manufacturers also saw the importance of attending the career fair, says Connie LaFlamme, marketing communications, Caterpillar. "These students represent the future of the landscape industry," LaFlamme says. She says Caterpillar encourages students to look for jobs with marketing and selling equipment – instead of solely focusing on landscape management positions. "There aren't a lot of students going into jobs in that field, so it's good for students to think more broadly," she says. tlc MORE? Available at your local retail locations and auto parts stores. mobildelvac.com ©2013 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil, Mobil Delvac and the Mobil logotype are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. Other trademarks and product names used herein are the property of their respective owners. This Proof of Performance is based on the experience of a single customer. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used. To watch a video of the career fair and machine walk-arounds, visit youtube. com/TLCMagazine. A P R I L 2013 Mobil Delvac_TLC0413_PG.indd 1 TLC0113_FieldReport.indd 15 TotalLa nd s ca p e C a re . c o m 15 3/20/13 4:04 PM 3/26/13 4:11 PM